A Rising Tide: Why More Americans Are Moving to the French Riviera

 

Since the recent U.S. elections, the French Riviera has seen a noticeable increase not only in American visitors but also in U.S. citizens becoming homeowners in the region. What was once a coveted holiday destination is now increasingly viewed as a permanent lifestyle choice, or secondary home ownership (especially for those of us within the LGBTQ+ community) with Americans and Canadians alike drawn to the Côte d’Azur’s blend of luxury, culture, and quality of life.

Recent tourism data highlights this trend: international travelers spend significantly more than French tourists when vacationing in the Riviera — about €120 per day compared to €75. This spending power, combined with an appetite for real estate, is shaping the Riviera’s property market and reinforcing its status as a global lifestyle hub.

Why the French Riviera Appeals to North Americans

1. Direct connections from the U.S. and Canada

In recent years, major airlines have introduced direct flights from New York, Atlanta, Montreal, and Toronto to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. This has made the Riviera more accessible than ever before, reducing travel time and making both seasonal visits and long-term stays more convenient.

2. A lifestyle unlike anywhere else

The French Riviera offers a rare balance: Mediterranean charm mixed with an international, cosmopolitan community. Residents enjoy world-renowned gastronomy, art, and cultural events alongside year-round leisure activities such as sailing, hiking, skiing in the nearby Alps, and exploring Provence’s vineyards.

3. Cost of living and healthcare advantages

Compared to many U.S. metropolitan areas, the cost of living in the Riviera can be surprisingly favorable — particularly when it comes to healthcare, education, and day-to-day expenses. France’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, and significantly more affordable than in the U.S., offering an added incentive for retirees and families.

4. Strong real estate value and investment potential

The Riviera’s property market is considered one of the most stable in Europe. With limited land availability along the coast and consistent global demand, real estate here is viewed as both a lifestyle purchase and a long-term investment. Legacy properties, in particular, hold strong appeal for families looking to secure wealth across generations.

5. A sense of safety and stability

Many North Americans cite political divisions and social uncertainties back home as a reason for seeking out more stable environments abroad. France — and the Riviera in particular — offers not only personal safety but also a slower, more balanced pace of life, which is increasingly valued in a fast-changing world.

6. Education and international opportunities

The Côte d’Azur is home to highly regarded international schools and universities, making it attractive to families with children. Additionally, its proximity to Monaco and other European business hubs provides unique professional and networking opportunities.

7. Climate and well-being

With over 300 days of sunshine per year, mild winters, and fresh Mediterranean air, the Riviera offers an outdoor-oriented lifestyle that promotes health and well-being. This climate is particularly attractive to North Americans escaping harsher winters or humid summers.

The Growing American Footprint

The influx of Americans and Canadians is reshaping local communities, with English increasingly heard in Riviera cafés, galleries, and real estate offices. For many, the decision to move is not just about property or investment but about embracing a new way of life — one that prioritizes culture, health, and balance.

As this trend accelerates, the French Riviera is cementing its reputation not just as Europe’s playground for the elite but as a thriving, international enclave where North Americans are planting deeper roots than ever before.

If you are considering a move to the region, as a Canadian, I speak your language and can relay personal experiences and guidance. Let’s connect.

Tourism: Record-Breaking Summer on the Côte d’Azur

 

The Côte d’Azur has enjoyed an exceptional summer season, with coastal hotels posting some of their strongest results in years, largely fueled by a surge in international visitors. Yet while hotels and rentals celebrate record demand, traditional restaurants are voicing concerns.

After a lively spring boosted by major events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Lions, UNOC, and Ironman, the region entered summer with strong momentum. May saw coastal hotel occupancy climb to 77% (+2 points over 2024), with several days above 90%. June broke records with 85% occupancy (+3 points).

That strength carried into the peak season. In July, hotels reached nearly 87% occupancy (+1 point), with revenue per available room up 8%. Tourist residences and furnished rentals also performed well, averaging 79% and 74% respectively.

Early August confirmed the boom: coastal hotels reached 92% occupancy during the first two weeks, peaking at 98% over the August 15 holiday weekend. The full month is expected to close around 85%. Private holiday rentals also hit their annual high, with 88% occupancy in early August. In the mountains, the season proved strong too, averaging 50% occupancy and up to 62% mid-August, while tourist residences climbed to 65%.

International visitors lead the charge

Foreign travelers made up the majority of hotel stays—55% in July and 58% in August. The North American market, particularly the U.S., is driving this growth. American visitors are also the region’s biggest spenders, averaging €170 per person per day compared to €75 for French tourists.

With these results, Côte d’Azur France Tourisme is eager to keep the momentum going. Following a successful promotional tour in North America earlier this year, a new campaign is scheduled for February 2026, targeting Boston, Houston, Chicago, and Toronto.

Despite record-breaking visitor numbers, locals note that improved public transport has eased congestion, helping to create a surprisingly calm and enjoyable summer season for residents and travelers alike.

Safety First

 

Text by: Urban Malek

Some of you know me as the "personal coat checker" at your favorite cruising bar: Le 7.

Today, I would like to share with you a little thought, born both from my astonishment... and, let's say, from a certain concern.

I notice that many friends, under the pretext of taking PrEP, believe that condoms have become optional. So yes, PrEP is a great tool: it protects against HIV. But, my friends, it has no magical effect against other STIs, STDs, or hepatitis... And in a place where there are multiple partners, it goes without saying that the risk is very real.

Fortunately, our hosts have shown exemplary generosity by providing, free of charge and in all cabins, gel and condoms. A small preventive gift that is just waiting to be used. (Enipse Délégation Nice).

So, please, don't gamble with your health—or that of others.

Respect yourself, let's respect each other! A pleasure is always more enjoyable when it's not followed by an unpleasant surprise.

This message is not a moral lesson (I leave that to the priests, the "bad" ones and the shrinks!), but simply a hand placed on your shoulder, like that of a somewhat paternal friend, who would like to never have to cry for you.

Take care of yourself, so that the party remains a party.

The other night I came across this post on a local LGBTQ Facebook business page, and it really struck a chord with me.

Way back when I managed bathhouses for over a decade, our goal was always the same: to make sure people had the best possible time—but in the safest way. To help with that, we brought in a health practitioner once or twice a week for free one-on-one consultations and group discussions. It gave people a space to ask questions, get answers, and make informed choices.

Now, living in what I affectionately sometimes call “vacation land,” I see this from a different perspective. Each season brings a wave of visitors eager to experience the French Riviera. Often, you can spot them right away—fresh off the plane, with a blank look and full of excitement, with “holiday mode” practically written across their forehead.

They’re ready for adventure and sometimes forget that even on vacation, things can go wrong. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of the same myself.

So, to keep this short, I’ll echo the wise words of Urban Malek: “Take care of yourself, so that the party remains a party.”

If you’re visiting any of the gay bars/cruising venues in Nice, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for some action. And if you don’t see lube or condoms available, just ask the staff—they’ll usually have fresh supplies to hand out for free. You can also buy them at any local pharmacy before heading out.

Stay safe, play smart, and enjoy everything the Côte d’Azur has to offer.

 

Cap Estel Hotel Joins Arnault Family Portfolio

 

Bernard Arnault’s Family Holding Acquires Iconic Cap Estel Hotel in Èze

The announcement slipped quietly into the summer news cycle: on July 17, 2025, Financière Agache, Bernard Arnault’s family holding company, finalized the acquisition of Cap Estel, a five-star jewel perched on a private two-hectare peninsula in Èze, between Nice and Monaco.

A Rare Asset on the Côte d’Azur

Cap Estel is one of the Riviera’s most exclusive addresses. With just 20 suites and rooms, the hotel is prized for its intimate scale and ultra-personalized service. Guests enjoy a spa, a gourmet restaurant, and sweeping views of the Mediterranean, all wrapped in a discreet atmosphere of excellence and prestige.

Its history dates back to the early 20th century, when Russian and British aristocrats flocked to the Riviera. Over the decades, it has remained a discreet sanctuary for celebrities and business leaders alike, cultivating an image built on rarity and confidentiality—qualities that now underpin its extraordinary valuation.

A Record Off-Market Deal

According to CFNEWS IMMO, the transaction is valued at over €10 million per key—a record in European luxury hospitality. For perspective:

• The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (Four Seasons) sold in 2015 for around €3.5 million per key.

• The Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes, another Riviera landmark, is estimated at €5–6 million per key.

Cap Estel’s benchmark-breaking figure highlights both the extreme scarcity of such assets and the growing appetite of ultra-wealthy investors for hotels that transcend traditional hospitality models.

Arnault’s Heritage Strategy

For Bernard Arnault, this acquisition is less about yield and more about heritage. Through Agache, the family is consolidating a portfolio of rare, tangible assets—complementing investments in art, real estate, and vineyards.

Unlike LVMH’s hotel arm (Cheval Blanc, Belmond), Agache’s move into Cap Estel signals a more discreet approach: an investment at the intersection of luxury hospitality and legacy-building, centered on an asset that cannot be replicated.

The strategy is clear: Cap Estel’s value lies not only in bricks and mortar but also in prestige, discretion, and international desirability—intangible qualities that ensure long-term resilience.

A Broader Industry Signal

Cap Estel’s sale underscores a wider trend: the patrimonialization of iconic hotels by large fortunes and sovereign funds. Increasingly, these properties are viewed not as operational businesses but as collectible cultural assets, prized for their aura and exclusivity.

The Riviera, Capri, Portofino, Saint-Barth, and Costa Smeralda are seeing similar pressures. As traditional hotel valuations cool amid economic headwinds, ultra-luxury icons are bucking the trend, commanding unprecedented prices in private, off-market deals.

Key Takeaways

• New benchmark: Cap Estel’s €10M/key valuation resets expectations for Mediterranean trophy hotels.

• Collectible assets: Ultra-luxury hotels are increasingly acquired by industrial dynasties, sovereign funds, and billionaires.

• Heritage play: For Agache, this is about legacy and rarity, not scale or yield.

• Ripple effect: The deal may trigger new discreet sales on the Riviera, where comparable assets are vanishingly scarce.

• Luxury convergence: The transaction highlights the deepening ties between high fashion, lifestyle, and hospitality—strategic arenas for engaging UHNW clientele.

Why Cap Estel Stands Apart

• Unrivalled setting: A private two-hectare peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean.

• Exclusive scale: Just 20 suites and rooms, ensuring confidentiality and bespoke service.

• Prestige heritage: From aristocrats to modern billionaires, the address has always attracted the world’s elite.

With these qualities, Cap Estel represents not only a rare business opportunity but also a symbolic safeguard of legacy—making it a natural fit within Bernard Arnault’s portfolio of enduring treasures.